Rain, Drought, Earthquake and Floods seem to be going mainstream and it's getting a lot of attention. Just recently we have seen a massive earthquake in china, a massive and devastating Tropical Cyclone that struck Burma and flooding in many locations around the world. In the United States Tornadoes are also at an all time high for this time of the year and many are feeling the effects of these dangerous events world wide. Are we ready if such an event were to occur in our area? We all know these events could occur at any time but we don't think that time is now. At least I don't. Let's find out and get prepared now, so panic doesn't set in at the last minute when we know it's going to get ugly.Is Preparation Hard?
No! Preparation isn't hard. In fact it probably just takes a little knowledge and a few things. Here are some of the "Whats" and "Hows" that need to be planned ahead of time.
- What to do during a disaster
- How to turn off your utilities
- How you will contact family members and regroup
- What you will drink and eat after the disaster
- How you will get important official information
- Where you will go if evacuation is ordered
Common Threats
Common threats vary from place to place. Perhaps you live near a volcano, then you will need to evacuate if you live near enough to be in danger. The fact is, if a mountain blows it's top and your there, well you get the point, no amount of stored food, water or emergency shelter is going to help. Your survival will depend on not being there, so close as to be in danger. So thinking about where you live, what dangers could you face?
Perhaps if you live in the Midwest United States your primary concern may be Tornado's and Severe Weather. Thinking about this threat we all realize when a Tornado or Severe Storm is bearing down on us, it's probably not the best time to get out and start driving around, it's to late when the storm is upon us for evacuation,this would only increase the risk from Tornado, Hail, Lightning and Flooding, so we will probably prefer to listen to the weather on the television or a radio. All of us would likely listen for a Tornado Siren warning us to take shelter, then at any sign of a tornado (such as a freight train sound coming toward us) we would get into a closet or other small area that is in the center of our home, or in a basement or storm shelter to get the most protection possible. For more information about tornado survival you can see images of dangerous cloud formations and more survival information here.
If the danger in our area is a earthquake or a Hurricane (if we live near a coast line) then we would have to take other precautions and learn the necessary steps to take in such a case. Here are some resources for just that reason. This link covers many natural disasters.
Turning Off Utilities
If your home is damaged then loose wires, broken gas lines and broken water pipes may pose a danger. So each person needs to know how to turn off the utilities in a survival situation. Turning off the Electric involves turning off breaker switches or removing fuses, if you don't know how to do this then get a qualified person to show you how. Remember wires are deadly and there is no way to know if they can electrocute you without special equipment, so follow two basic rules,
- Don't Touch Them With Your Hands or Body!
- Stay Out Of Water Near Wires!
Locate the breaker box, turn off all the breakers in the box (They work just like light switches except that they are often horizontal and they say "Off" and "On" on the switches. Switch them Off) If you have a fuse box, remove all the fuses. It's a good idea after a disaster to turn the electricity off if there is any structural damage or loose wires or a burning or hot smell in your home. Have a qualified person to check the damage before turning the electric back on.This could be caused bu burning wires that may ignite the home. If some of the breakers turn themselves off (That's what they are designed to do if there is a problem, don't turn them back on until the problem is fixed.)There may be a separate box for hot water heaters or electric driers so be careful around wires even if the electric is off!
To turn off the water use a special water key (available at the lumber yard or hardware store), if you don't have one locate a neighbor who would be willing to shut off the water in a emergency. You don't need to shut off the water unless a pipe is broken and water is leaking every where.
Turning off the Gas may be your first priority in a damaged home since a gas leak can ignite and cause a massive explosion. Here is information about turning off a Gas Meter (Look near the bottom of the page).
Regrouping The Family
Use your cell phone to contact family and friends to let them know whats happening. It's not good to tie up phone lines after a disaster though so designate a single family member or friend that all your family members will call to get information and regroup. A Person outside your area is best because sometimes long distance lines work when local lines do not. All family members should memorize the phone number including you. All should call this person and tell them, where they are, if they are OK and what they plan to do or how they may be reached. Don't stay on the line for very long because others need to use the lines also. Remember if you make a call in the US and get a strange fast busy signal it means the phone exchange is busy or the lines are down, keep trying occasionally unless you are told otherwise by local authorities.
After the utilities and getting needed help, if you are stranded, Water is the first priority!
Gather water in any clean containers if the faucets still works. Fill your bathtub with water as well. In a emergency you can drain your hot water tank for drinking water. Drain a hot water tank for survival.
Keep your food safe for survival.
Links for a Survival Kits or Survival Food.
or Just Two More Items To Go
Keep informed of official information using a small battery powered radio or television. It's a good idea to keep a radio and a good, metal body flashlight at all times and plenty of fresh batteries or they won't be of much use. It's a good idea to keep extra batteries and change the batteries regularly.
Where will you go in an evacuation. Let me say up front plan now so you are not forced into a public shelter. Leave in plenty of time if possible to beat the rush and remember if the threat is a hurricane, the water will rise and weather will deteriorate many, many hours before the storm strikes because of storm surge (Hurricane Survival Planning). You may be forced to use a public shelter, if this is the case plan ahead with bags you can carry, the extreme basics. Remember pets are not allowed in evacuation shelters, plan to leave food and water for them. There may be thieves or other problems so once there make a group of friends and stick together. Sleep near one another and watch out for each other, just one more thing, Remember everyone is tired, angry and in shock or perhaps near a nervous break down. Don't push yourself or others past the breaking point, drink plenty of water and eat regularly, take plenty of breaks. A common side effect of being in shock after a loss is the feeling of not caring or being unconcerned, or you may feel deeply distraught. Try to stay calm. Prayer often helps. Relax as much as possible. Your a strong person, if you think your not, just wait until other people hear your story of survival. Your a survivor and this whole episode will pass if you use your massive brain power to Plan, Prepare and Adapt to the circumstances you are handed.
Don't go down in a disaster, Rise to the occasion, persevere and prosper as a wiser, stronger person!
© 2008 By Charles Gibson, All Rights Reserved.
